One of the biggest factors in the backlash that came as a result of Rutgers’ hiring of Julie Hermann to be their next athletic director was the fact that Hermann was accused of mistreating her players while coaching volleyball at the University of Tennessee.

Hermann’s hiring at Rutgers, which is struggling with the process of moving forward in the aftermath of Mike Rice’s firing for abusive behavior in practices (and Tim Pernetti’s subsequent resignation), brought back vivid memories for those players and not of the positive variety.

But here’s what I told [Newark Star-Ledger reporter Craig] Wolff and what I’ll tell you now with my name attached: After our 96/97 season, the team got together—sans coaches—to figure out why we were all so miserable and why we felt so much animosity toward one another. We quickly realized Julie was the common denominator. The letter you’ve seen referenced was written as a result of that meeting. We carefully crafted it, signed it simply “The Lady Vol Volleyball Team,” then brought it to Joan Cronan, our athletic director. Joan called a meeting with the entire team—held in the women’s basketball locker room, which, rightfully so, was way nicer than ours—and we shared our grievances with Julie face-to-face. There were a lot of tears. It was not easy. In addition to the bad times, there had been good times with Julie and this was not the way any of us thought our careers at UT would unfold. But, as the letter stated, it was an irreconcilable issue. After the meeting, Julie walked out and many of us never saw her again. I know I never did.

What’s important to know is that 16 years ago, our intention was to see Julie go because there was no way any of us could continue at UT with her at the helm. Our intention today is not to see her suffer or to take her down in any way. None of us wants that. It is simply to tell the truth because we were asked. And because it is relevant. But we have all moved on from that time. Julie has moved on. And just because she was a bad coach doesn’t mean she can’t be a good administrator. Maybe her experience with us made her a better administrator. Who knows? Sure, she made mistakes but she paid for them at the time by losing her job at UT. It’s only because she was hired at Rutgers—Rutgers!—in the wake of an abuse scandal that our past experience is even relevant. And it is, don’t get me wrong. Everything in that letter is true. But I agree with what many are saying: This reflects worse on Rutgers than it does on Julie.

Zammett Ruddy makes a good point about the length of time that has elapsed since these events took place. But as she also notes, this entire fiasco says a lot more about the leadership at Rutgers than Hermann.

The school stated that it would be thorough in its background checks in looking for a new men’s basketball coach and an athletic director, and it’s safe to say that the folks in charge didn’t live up to that claim.

Very well written post. For the life of me, I cannot see how Rutgers continues with this hire, and most importantly, with their current administrative leadership. It’s literally beyond comprehension at this point.

There’s no doubt Hermann and some players on that particular team didn’t get along but I haven’t read anything that I’d consider abuse. Yelling and making them wear jerseys inside out? Come on now. Take a walk over to the women’s basketball program at Tennesee and see how demanding legendary Pat Summitt was on her players while she coached there.

How about former UT players of Hermann’s that spoke glowingly of her. Did she suddenly change?

Tamala Brightman, who played at Tennessee from 1990-93, raved about Hermann to the AP and said players affectionately called her “Jules.”

“When I heard these allegations, I was shocked because this was not the coach that I knew,” said Brightman, who had 1,781 career kills and continues to hold the school record in that category.

Brightman said she never saw Hermann act abusively toward any player. She added that players had such a great relationship with Hermann that they said she reminded them of Wonder Woman.

“She was a mother figure,” said Brightman, who now works as a personal trainer. “She molded us, taught us about work ethic and how to work hard and have fun. To this day, when I coach, I put that forth in my players.”

Take a look at this article about Hermann’s record for women’s issues in Louisville.

There’s quite a bit more but I highlight this one for obvious reasons.

Within the city, in 2008 she was named a Woman of Distinction by the Louisville Center For Women and Families, an award presented to those who “improve opportunity, education and quality of life for women” in the community. That Center, on which Hermann served on the board of directors, serves all victims of partner abuse, including the providing of residential and non-residential services and emergency shelters. In other words, she spent time working to raise money, support and other awareness for women who were victims of abuse.